Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus. Aureus 193-196, AV 18 mm, 7.17 g. IVLIA DO – MNA AVG Draped bust r. Rev. VENER – I V– ICTR Venus standing r., leaning l. elbow on column and holding apple in r. hand and palm in l. C 193. BMC S. Severus 47. RIC S. Severus 536. Calicó 2641. Extremely fine / good extremely fineGraded Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, NGC photo certificate number 8769673-002 Ex NAC 24, 2002, European Nobleman, 136; NAC 31, 2005, 70 and Rauch 102, 2016, 119 sales. Of all the Severan types commemorating victory in Britain, this aureus of Septimius Severus is among the rarest and most attractive. Though Mattingly, Sydenham, Carson and Hill all describe Victory as dragging a captive, the tenor of the scene seems less oppressive: rather than Victory dragging an unwilling or dejected captive, she appears to be leading a willing, immature figure. Since the Romans had gone to war against Caledonians, a people who lived beyond the frontier who the Romans considered culturally juvenile, this type probably was meant to symbolise Rome's introduction of a backward people into the light of civilisation. Coins referencing the war were struck in the names of all three Severan men, though the campaign was led by Septimius and Caracalla, and when Septimius fell ill in the course of events, Caracalla took supreme command. Severus' exclusion of Geta from a senior command probably was a practical decision based upon his performance in the early engagements of the war. While Caracalla continued to fight at his father's side, Geta remained with his mother at the base camp at York. One can only imagine how this must have intensified the already bitter rivalry between the brothers. When Septimius died early in 211, Caracalla made an unfavorable peace with the Caledonians that required the Romans to withdraw to Hadrian's Wall, which would serve as the border. Even though it had not been a great success, this 'victory' was celebrated on coinage with a wide variety of types in all metals. Please find here the video of the coin